Critics Choice Association Launches Inaugural Creator Awards for 2027, Honoring Podcasts, Micro-Dramas and Digital Stars

The Critics Choice Awards are getting into the creator business. The organization announced it will hold the inaugural Critics Choice Creator Awards, honoring the finest creators in the digital space across podcasts, scripted, unscripted, documentary, informational, lifestyle, sports and game series. The inaugural nominees will be announced March 18, with winners unveiled April 15. The ceremony aims to bring together the biggest names in the creator community, from established stars like MrBeast, Dhar Mann and Rhett and Link to up-and-comers such as Nicky Campbell, Grace Reiter and Eric Sedeño, all of whom were featured on Variety’s inaugural “10 Creators to Watch.” It will also recognize podcasters including Jay Shetty, Steven Bartlett and Amy Poehler, who won the Golden Globes’ inaugural podcast award at last year’s ceremony, as well as the growing world of micro-dramas like the TikTok thriller “Screen Time” from Issa Rae. “As the world of entertainment evolves and migrates onto social media and streaming platforms, it is the job of entertainment critics to move with them,” CCA president Joey Berlin said in a statement. “We are dedicated to helping entertainment consumers ‘find the good stuff,’ as well as helping the best creators get found and appreciated.” Popular on Variety The Critics Choice Creator Awards joins CCA’s robust slate of programming, which already includes the main event Critics Choice Awards, along with the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, Critics Choice Real TV Awards and Critics Choice Super Awards. The CCA also produces a series of Celebration events to recognize historically underrepresented communities, including the Celebration of Black Cinema and Television, Celebración of Cinema and Television, Celebration of AAPI Cinema and Television and Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema and Television. The official categories and timeline are listed below. Critics Choice Creator Awards Categories: General Awards Best Creator of the Year Best Live Streaming Creator Best Video Edit Best Viral Video Best Special Effects Podcast Best Audio Podcast Best Video Podcast Best Podcast Host Genre Awards Best Comedy Creator Best Drama Creator Best Storyteller Best News Reporter Scripted Series Best Comedy Series: Short Form (Under 3 Minutes) Best Comedy Series: Long Form (3+ Minutes) Best Micro-Drama Series: Short Form (Under 3 Minutes) Best Micro-Drama Series: Long Form (3+ Minutes) Best Actor in a Comedy Series Best Actress in a Comedy Series Best Actor in a Micro-Drama Series Best Actress in a Micro-Drama Series Unscripted & Reality Best Competition Series Best Competition Series: Talent/Variety Best Structured Series Best Series Host Documentary & Informational Best Documentary Series Best Documentary Creator Best Educational Series Best Educational Creator Best Business Series Best Business Creator Best Crime/Justice Series Best Crime/Justice Creator Best Animal/Nature Series Best Animal/Nature Creator Best Health/Wellness Series Best Health/Wellness Creator Lifestyle & Interest Best Food & Drink Series Best Food & Drink Creator Best Travel/Adventure Series Best Travel/Adventure Creator Best Relationship Series Best Relationship Series Creator Best Lifestyle Series: Home/Garden Best Lifestyle Creator: Home/Garden Best Lifestyle Series: Fashion/Beauty Best Lifestyle Creator: Fashion/Beauty Best Pop Culture Series Best Pop Culture Creator Games Best Game Show Best Game Show Creator Sports Best Sports Show: Talk/Analysis Best Sports Series Critics Choice Creator Awards Timeline: Monday, October 19, 2026 – Early Submissions Open Monday, November 16, 2026 – Early Submissions Close; Regular Submissions Open Monday, February 1, 2027 – Regular Submissions Close Tuesday, February 2 – Friday, March 12, 2027 – NomCom Deliberations Thursday, March 18, 2027 – Nominees Announced Thursday, April 15, 2027 – Critics Choice Creator Awards Winners Announced